Industrial Minerals
Industrial minerals are non-metallic rocks and minerals valued for their unique physical and chemical properties rather than for the metals they contain. Unlike metallic ores, which are processed to extract metal, these materials are used in their raw or refined state as essential components in a vast range of applications. In the Philippines, this category includes crucial resources like limestone for cement production, dolomite for agriculture and steelmaking, silica sand for glass manufacturing, and clay for ceramics. From the construction of our cities to the production of everyday goods, industrial minerals serve as the indispensable, high-volume backbone of the modern economy.
Industrial Minerals
This broad category refers to any non-metallic mineral or rock with intrinsic economic value used in industrial processes. Under MGB's purview, this includes resources like limestone (for cement), clay (for ceramics and cement), feldspar, and many others that form the backbone of the country's manufacturing and industrial sectors.
Dolomite
Dolomite is a common rock-forming mineral composed of calcium magnesium carbonate. In the Philippines, it's valued for its use in agriculture to neutralize soil acidity and as a source of magnesium. Industrially, it's used in steel manufacturing, glass production, and as a durable construction material. The MGB regulates its extraction for these large-scale industrial uses.
Quartz
Quartz is a hard, crystalline mineral composed of silicon and oxygen atoms (silicon dioxide). It's one of the most abundant minerals on Earth's crust. High-purity quartz is valued for its use in electronics and semiconductors due to its piezoelectric properties. It is also a key ingredient in making glass, ceramics, and abrasives.
Silica Sand
Silica sand is a specific type of sand primarily composed of high-purity quartz particles. Unlike common construction sand, its value lies in its chemical purity and physical properties (like grain size and shape). It is a critical raw material for glass manufacturing, metal casting (foundry sand), and high-tech applications like fiber optics.